The Royal and State Yachts, possibly the Arrival of Charles II of England at Moerdijk, 1660 1660 - 1693

Willem van de Velde I, a renowned Dutch painter of maritime scenes, created this detailed drawing titled “The Royal and State Yachts, possibly the Arrival of Charles II of England at Moerdijk, 1660.” The scene, which likely depicts the return of Charles II to England after the English Restoration, features a large fleet of ships, showcasing the technical skill of the artist in capturing the intricacies of maritime life. The work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Van de Velde’s mastery of capturing the movement and detail of ships and sailors in a dynamic composition.